I am happy to present the STARFISH Teacher of the week to….. Mr. Jordan Rogers.
Mr. Rogers has been easy to collaborate with this year on shared students. His passion for his students is evident in his efforts to reach out on their behalf and ensure their success in all of their classes. He has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the academic success and personal growth of his students. As a special education teacher, Mr. Rogers consistently demonstrates a calm, laid-back demeanor that fosters trust and open communication among staff and students alike.
Mr. Rogers brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to his work, always seeking input from general education teachers when creating individualized goals. His genuine willingness to listen, collaborate, and problem-solve makes him an invaluable part of our team. He approaches each conversation with humility and professionalism, ensuring that every student’s needs are met through a shared vision and a unified plan.
His commitment to inclusivity and partnership not only strengthens the support our students receive but also enhances the learning environment for all. Mr. Roger’s approachable nature, clear communication, and steady presence make him a trusted colleague and a true asset to our school community.
I have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Rogers this year at BJH!
I am so proud to present the STARFISH Teacher of the week…
Ms. Rachel Gillenwater!
Ms. Gillenwater welcomed me into her classroom with open arms, creating an environment where I’ve been able to grow both professionally and personally as a special education teacher. From day one, she has shown me just how joyful, meaningful, and impactful teaching can be.
In addition to being an incredible ELA teacher, she also serves as a Tennis Coach and does Student Council , pouring her heart into everything she does. Her lessons are always engaging, creative, and relevant, thoughtfully designed to meet students where they are and keep them actively connected to learning.
What stands out most is her ability to build genuine, lasting relationships with her students—relationships grounded in trust, care, and mutual respect. I’m beyond grateful that she welcomed me into her classroom, a space filled with laughter, support, and compassion.
Ms. Gillenwater is more than just a colleague—she’s become a true friend and role model. Even in her first year at BJHS, she’s made an incredible impact and is truly thriving.
Thank you, Ms. Gillenwater, for your unwavering support, your positive energy, and for reminding me that teaching is not just about lessons—it’s about building connections that last a lifetime. 💛
Starfish of the Week - Loren Huynh
Great teachers do more than just teach- they inspire, support, and build real connections with their students. Loren Huynh does exactly that. She has a way of making every student feel understood and valued, meeting them where they are and helping them grow.
Her students speak so fondly of her, which is a true testament to the care and dedication she pours into her classroom. Beyond that, she’s also a friendly and supportive presence for fellow teachers, always ready to lend an ear or a helping hand.
Thank you, Loren, for being such a positive force in our school! You make a difference every day! Keep Shining, Kaley Hudson
Kaley Hudson
I am glad to present Kaley Hudson as the STARFISH TEACHER of the week! Mrs. Hudson is a teacher that goes way above and beyond and is a shining example of excellence in teaching. Her dedication, positive motivation, and enthusiasm creates a wonderful environment for her students and the people that collaborates with her. Her creativity and dedication was rewarded last year with the “Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grant” for her commitment to educational excellence! For that and much more, Mrs. Hudson is the truth example of the Starfish Teacher in our school! Con mucho amor! Sra. Bowie
Marisol Bowie
I am proud to present Marisol Bowie as the Starfish Teacher for this week, as she is a true example of how a teacher can make a lasting, positive impact through her passion and dedication. Mrs. Bowie is adored by her students, and her commitment to their well-being is reflected in every aspect of her work.
Every week, she introduces the entire school to a new word or phrase, inspiring curiosity and encouraging learning that extends beyond the classroom. This simple but meaningful gesture fosters not only academic growth but also a sense of unity and connection among students of all ages. Her students eagerly anticipate her lessons, knowing they will be filled with enthusiasm, energy, and genuine care.
What truly distinguishes Mrs. Bowie is her deep commitment to her students' emotional and academic success. She consistently goes the extra mile, always putting their needs first and creating an environment where they feel supported, heard, and respected. Whether it's through a thoughtful comment or an engaging lesson, she leaves a positive mark on everyone she encounters.
Mrs. Bowie’s dedication, big and small, brightens our school and creates a culture of positivity and growth. She is the embodiment of a Starfish Teacher, making an incredible difference, one act at a time.
-Chris Word
I am thrilled to award Mr. Christopher Word as our Starfish Teacher this week because, simply put, he is an absolute rockstar! From the moment he joined our school, Mr. Word has brought an incredible passion for music, an unstoppable work ethic, and a deep commitment to our students.
As one of our band directors, he goes above and beyond every single day. Whether it’s early morning rehearsals, late-night performances, or countless hours spent perfecting each note, he pours his heart into making our music program the best it can be. But what really sets him apart is the way he connects with students—building their confidence, pushing them to be their best, and showing them that hard work and dedication truly pay off.
Beyond the music, Mr. Word has become a valued member of our school family. He brings energy, enthusiasm, and positivity that make our school a better place. Whether it’s cheering on students, supporting fellow staff, or making us all laugh with his great sense of humor, he is someone we are so lucky to have.
For all these reasons (and so many more!), I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Mr. Word, for all the hard work you do for our students and our school!
With Much Love,
Ashley Donnell
February 10, 2025
My choice for Starfish Teacher is Mrs. Ashley Donnell. Ashley embodies just what it means to be a starfish teacher, going above and beyond to make a lasting impact on students and coworkers alike.
Ashley has transformed our ELL program into something fun and exciting for all of our newcomer students. She creates an environment for these students to feel safe and supported, which in turn, makes them eager to learn. She also ensures that the students who are still learning the language or the students who have graduated out of the program still are supported and making progress in their studies. Ashley’s passion for her students does not stop with the students themselves as she has hosted EL family nights to ensure that the families of her students are also involved in their education, despite language barriers.
Ashley not only makes an impact on her students, but also on her coworkers through her willingness to share her expertise, offering insightful strategies to help her students thrive in the general classrooms as well. Beyond her instructional talents, Ashley is a great friend. She is always ready to lend a listening ear, provide a word of encouragement and motivation, and uplift those around her with her passion for teaching.
It is clear in all that she does that she loves her students, and that love shines in the successes and confidence that she fosters within them. Ashley, thank you for all that you do! You are truly making a difference - one student, one moment, and one starfish at a time.
With love,
Krislyn Clinton
Starfish Teacher Week of February 3
Krislyn Clinton
I would like to nominate Ms. Krislyn Clinton as our Starfish Teacher of the Week. Ms. Clinton goes above and beyond for the students that she teaches. Ms. Clinton approaches everyday with a positive attitude. She makes sure that her classroom is a fun, engaging and loving environment. She not only tells her students that she loves them she also shows it. This is my first year at Biloxi Junior High and Ms. Clinton welcomed me with opened arms. She is always giving me words of encouragement or being a listening ear when I need to vent. She has helped make my first year as a DT Assistant a pleasant one. Im truly honored to beside such a great teacher.
Thank you Ms. Clinton for being not only a great teacher but also a great colleague.
Teakawndra Bender
Starfish Selection Week of Jan. 13
Teakawndra Bender
I am happy to nominate Ms. Teakawndra Bender as the starfish employee of the week. Ms. Bender is our 8th grade DT assistant, but she goes above and beyond to assist ALL students she has contact with. She is always available to lend an ear, be a shoulder to lean on, or watch the class for a bathroom break. I have the privilege to witness her build relationships, encourage, and mentor our students, especially those who need extra support. Regardless of the challenge, she approaches each day with a smile and is ready to make a positive impact on those who need it most. Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community!
Rachel Betts
Starfish Selection Week of Jan. 6
Rachel Betts
I’m giving the Starfish teacher award to Mrs. Rachel Betts. Mrs. Betts is deserving of this award for many reasons. First, everytime I see her, she is always smiling and giving a funny bit in passing. Second, I constantly hear from the students how nice her class is and that she is making science fun. Lastly, I got the opportunity to work under her leadership at STEAM camp. She is an amazing teacher and was very helpful with making the afterschool program flow smoothly. She is a tiny lady with a big ole smile that has always been pleasant since I got here to BJHS. I appreciate our growing work relationship and love working with her at Biloxi Junior High School. Mrs. Betts, keep being a STAR.
Starfish – Ms. Cooks
I am excited to announce this week's Starfish teacher of the week is Ms. Joni Cooks!
Although this is my first year at Biloxi Junior high, I was greeted early on by Ms. Cooks in the beginning of the school year. We both have the same goofy personality!
She is always so positive and can make you laugh at all times. A few months ago we were in training together and she made the entire class laugh with all of her jokes and made the training fun and enjoyable!
Whenever I have gone by Ms. Cooks’ classroom, she always has her students engaging in their work and making math class fun. You can tell that Ms. Cooks wants every one of her students to be successful. Biloxi Junior High is lucky to have someone like Ms. Cooks!
Coach Woolbright
I am excited to announce my Starfish Teacher of the week, Coach Meredith Woolbright! Coach Woolbright is new to the Biloxi School District. She is the Biloxi Jr. High Head Softball Coach. Her passion for softball is starting to show in her players and the love for her P.E. students is starting to show as well. Biloxi Jr. High School, a few weeks ago, had a dress like a teacher day, and several of her softball players and her students dressed like her. That shows the love and respect her students and players have for her. I’m super excited to see what the future holds for the Biloxi Jr. High Softball program with Coach Woolbright as the Head Coach. I truly believe Coach Woolbright is going to be awesome for the Biloxi School District.
-Chief Mario Weekley
Starfish Employee - Chief Mario Weekley
For this week’s Starfish Teacher Award, I would like to nominate Chief Mario Weekley. Chief Weekley goes above and beyond his call of duty as our Chief of Police for Biloxi Schools. Not only does he keep every student, faculty, and staff member at Biloxi Jr. High safe, he also ensures the safety of everyone in our school district every single day, as well as our families and community at our various events in our school district. Chief Weekley builds great relationships with all of our students and is a great mentor to everyone. Thank you, Chief Weekley for all you do for us all. BJH is blessed to have you.
Amy Johnson
I am nominating Amy Johnson for the Starfish Award this week.
Mrs. Johnson loves her students and is always so encouraging. She builds relationships with them and most of her students refer to her as “Mama J.” She supports not only her colleagues but the Biloxi community as well.
Mrs. Johnson creates a positive environment for her students and is always doing something fun in her classroom. She is missed on our ELA hall, but she is doing great things in her new position in MS Studies.
BJHS is lucky to have Mrs. Johnson!
I am nominating Jennifer Salloum for the Starfish Award. She truly makes a difference in our school community. Ms. Salloum has the greatest sense of humor creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment. Beyond academics, she builds strong, positive relationships with both students and staff, fostering a sense of trust and respect that inspires everyone around them. Ms. Salloum is not only a dedicated educator but a genuine asset to our school, always going above and beyond to support others. Her impact is felt daily, and Ms. Salloum is the true embodiment of the spirit of the Starfish Award.
I am excited to announce my Starfish Teacher of the Week, Mr. Ryan Langford! Mr. Langford's passion for math shines through in his teaching. He differentiates his instruction to engage students of all ability levels. By combining tough love with a healthy dose of humor, he builds strong relationships with his students. In fact, his 8th graders loved him so much that they often ask to stay for tutoring—and he happily accommodates them. Our school is truly fortunate to have such an outstanding math teacher!
I have known Elizabeth McLeod since her very first year of teaching in 2014, and we had the pleasure of working together on the same 7th grade science team. From the very beginning, she impressed me with her exceptional ability to handle data and keep all of her paperwork meticulously organized. Her attention to detail and dedication made her an invaluable asset to our team, and I was genuinely sad to see her leave when she transitioned into special education. However, she has truly flourished in her new role, finding her true calling. Her heart for her students is immense, and she brings an unwavering passion for their success. Mrs. McLeod is not only a caring and compassionate teacher but also a fierce advocate for her students, always fighting for their best interests. Her love for both her students and our school shines in everything she does. Liz is exactly where she needs to be, making a difference every day. We are blessed to have her in our tribe!
Ms. Mabel chose Ms. Stephanie Dodd as our Starfish Teacher of the week. She is impressed with Ms. Dodd’s dedication to the school and the students. They see each other early in the mornings as they both arrive around 6am. Ms. Mabel loves that Ms. Dodd is so good with the students all the time.
Our starfish staff member for the week is Ms. Mable from Diversified. She is absolutely the G.O.A.T (greatest of all times) staff member for BJHS. She is very loving and caring for each of our students, as well as the student body. She is always willing to go the extra mile for everyone with the biggest smile. She is such a beautiful lady inside and out with the sweetest soul. We absolutely love her and are so proud to have on our team here at BJHS.
My starfish teacher(s) for the week are Christy Emrick, Terrell Sutton (not pictured), and Be-Be Fountain. These special education teachers, which make up our SCD team, have a true calling for what they do and they inspire all of us every day in their ability to connect with each child. The environment they create is one of love and acceptance which helps each student learn to the best of their ability. Though challenging at times, you can feel the passion they have for what they do and they always greet everyone with a smile. Over the years, each one of them has touched the lives of many kids as well as their families and their coworkers. We want you all to know how much we appreciate all that you do to make a difference in the world of special education and are honored to have you as part of our BJH family.
Starfish Teacher 9/9-9/13 – Ashley Chichkanov
My StarFish Teacher for the week is Mrs. Ashley Chichkanov. Ashley wears so many hats for BJH, but her dedication, hard work, and commitment has significantly contributed to the success of our school. She’s the first person everyone sees as they walk in the front office of the school, she always greets everyone with a smile on her face, and has a positive attitude. She sets the atmosphere and tone for our school by being in her position, and I think that she’s the perfect person for that. Her ability to adapt and be flexible with unexpected situations is admiring. Ashley helps out whenever and wherever it is needed, and it is greatly appreciated. We may not say it enough, but we are grateful and thankful to have her in our BJH family.
Starfish Teacher 9/2-9/6 – Coach Hill
I am nominating Coach Hill as starfish teacher of the week! Coach Hill always goes above and beyond for her students and her athletes. I have worked with Coach Hill for 6 years now and she has always held her students and teams to a very high standard. She pushes all girls to their highest potential and sets a good example for them. She is also very organized and keeps her gym clean by sweeping the floors herself. In season she can be seen teaching her athletes to overcome their weaknesses and push themselves harder each day. Overall, Coach Hill is a great teacher and coach and she deserves the recognition of this award.
-Coach Bellais
Starfish Teacher 8/26-8/30–C. Bellais
Coach Bellais and I both started teaching at Biloxi Junior High the same year. Over the last seven years I have watched her grow as a teacher, coach and friend. I am always inspired by her drive and competitive nature. When in season, she can be found on the field conditioning with her athletes as if she too were in Junior High. In her classroom, she is insistent that students treat each other with respect and follow school and classroom expectations. In addition to teaching and coaching track and soccer, she also volunteers to drive bus routes when needed. Congratulations to our newest Starfish Teacher, Coach Bellais!
Starfish Teacher 8/19-8/23–Casey Bridley
Having worked here for many years, I’ve witnessed the hard work and dedication of everyone, and I believe it’s important for each person to receive the recognition they deserve for the time and energy they put into their students and school. That being said, this week I would like to shine the spotlight on Mrs. Bridley. She is always ready to lend a helping hand when she sees a staff member struggling with a project. She volunteered to assist in the registration computer lab and helped distribute last year’s yearbooks to students because she saw that we needed extra help that day. Furthermore, she ensures that donations from businesses are sent to BJHS for th ePBIS student of the week, providing students with a little extra gift and recognition for their kindness If we inform her about a student in need, she goes above and beyond to rally others to help that student receive essential items such as clothes, shoes, Christmas gifts, and school supplies. Mrs. Bridley also serves as yearbook and Kindness Club sponsor, and she makes her US History class engaging and enjoyable for her students.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridley, for all you do to support us in the office and for our BJHS students.
Starfish Teacher 8/12-8/16–Courtney Martin
Our first Starfish Employee of the school year is Mrs. Courtney Martin!! Courtney was nominated by Ms. Laura Landry for all of the help that Courtney provided during registration, and administration seconds that! She is our go-to person for most anything!
“I would like to give a "Big Thanks" to Mrs. Martin for helping me with all the registration setups and the whole process.”--Laura Landry
We appreciate you, Mrs. Martin!
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